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List of current United States governors
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The United States has 50 states and five inhabited territories that each elect a governor as their chief executive.[1] The federal district of Washington, D.C. elects a mayor who performs a similar role.[2] In the event of a vacancy, the lieutenant governor succeeds in 45 states and four territories.[3]
As of December 2, 2025[update], there are 27 Republican governors and 23 Democratic governors in the 50 states.[4] Among the five territorial governorships, Democrats hold two, Republicans hold two (including Puerto Rico's New Progressive governor Jenniffer González-Colón, who is affiliated with the national Republican Party), and one is held by an independent.[5] The mayor of the District of Columbia is a Democrat.
Governors serve four-year terms except in New Hampshire and Vermont (two years). Most states and all territories except American Samoa impose term limits, usually two consecutive terms.[6] New terms normally begin in January following November elections; Alaska, Hawaii, Kentucky, and North Dakota begin in December.[7]
All 55 governors (50 state + 5 territorial) are members of the bipartisan National Governors Association. Partisan organizations include the Democratic Governors Association and Republican Governors Association; regional groups include the Midwestern Governors Association, Coalition of Northeastern Governors, and Western Governors Association.
State governors[edit | edit source]
The longest serving incumbent U.S. governor is Greg Abbott of Texas, who took office on January 20, 2015. The most recently inaugurated governor is Larry Rhoden of South Dakota, who took office on January 25, 2025.[8] A total of 15 current governors previously served as lieutenant governor, while 11 previously served in the United States House of Representatives.[9]
The governor's office has term limits in 37 states and 4 territories; these terms are four years except in New Hampshire and Vermont, where governors serve two-year terms.[6][10]
The average age of governors at inauguration is about 59 years. Alabama governor Kay Ivey (born 1944) is the oldest current governor, and Arkansas governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders (born 1982) is the youngest.[11] As of January 2025, there are 12 female state governors serving. Of the 50 state governors, 47 are non-Hispanic white, one is Hispanic (Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico), one is Black (Wes Moore of Maryland), and one is Native American (Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma).[11]
The notation "(term limits)" after the year indicates that the governor is ineligible to seek re-election in that year; the notation "(retiring)" indicates that the governor has announced their intention not to seek re-election at the end of the term nor to run for another office.
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Governors-elect[edit | edit source]
- Mikie Sherrill, New Jersey: January 20, 2026
- Abigail Spanberger, Virginia: January 17, 2026
Territory governors[edit | edit source]
Federal district mayor[edit | edit source]
The District of Columbia is a federal district that elects a mayor that has similar powers to those of a state or territorial governor.[2] The cities of Washington and Georgetown within the district elected their own mayors until 1871, when their governments were consolidated into a reorganized District of Columbia by a congressional act.[76] The district's chief executive from 1871 to 1874 was a governor appointed by the president of the United States; the office was replaced by a board of commissioners with three members appointed by the president—two residents and a representative from the United States Army Corps of Engineers.[76][77] The Board of Commissioners was originally a temporary body but was made permanent in 1878 with one member selected to serve as the Board President, in effect the city's chief executive.[78] The system was replaced in 1967 by a single mayor–commissioner and home rule in the District of Columbia was fully restored in 1975 under a reorganized government led by an elected mayor.[79]
| Federal district | Image | Mayor | Party | Born | Prior public experience | Inauguration | End of term | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia (list) | File:Muriel Bowser official photo (cropped).jpg | Muriel Bowser | Democratic[80] | August 2, 1972[80] | D.C. Council Advisory Neighborhood Commission[80] |
January 2, 2015[81] | 2027 | |
See also[edit | edit source]
- Flags of governors of the U.S. states
- List of current United States first spouses
- List of current United States governors by age
- List of current United States lieutenant governors
- List of female governors in the United States
- List of minority governors and lieutenant governors in the United States
- List of United States state legislatures
- List of U.S. state governors born outside the United States
- Seals of governors of the U.S. states
Notes[edit | edit source]
- ^ The Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party is affiliated with the national Democratic Party.[36]
- ^ In New York, gubernatorial terms begin at midnight on New Year's Day.[47]
References[edit | edit source]
- ^ "US Elections 2020 Vocabulary: Governor". BBC. October 14, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ a b Nirappil, Fenit (June 21, 2017). "Can a change of titles make DC seem more stately? Ask Gov. Bowser". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "States' Lines of Succession of Gubernatorial Powers" (PDF). National Lieutenant Governors Association. May 2011. Retrieved December 2, 2025.
- ^ "Party Control of Governors' Offices". Council of State Governments. Retrieved December 2, 2025.
- ^ Coto, Dánica (January 2, 2025). "In the shadow of a massive blackout, Jenniffer González is Puerto Rico's new governor". The Christian Science Monitor. Associated Press.
- ^ a b Francis, Audrey S.; Perkins, Heather M., eds. (2021). The Book of the States, Volume 53 (PDF). Council of State Governments. pp. 109–111. ISBN 978-0-578-30951-4.
- ^ "Gubernatorial Inauguration Dates". National Governors Association. Retrieved December 2, 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i "Governors Roster 2025" (PDF). National Governors Association. January 27, 2025. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 19, 2025. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
- ^ a b "2023 Governors' Previous Experience Chart" (PDF). Center on the American Governor. Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University. Archived (PDF) from the original on April 22, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Term Limits". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on April 2, 2010. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ a b "Fast Facts About America's Governors". Center on the American Governor. Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
- ^ "Gov. Kay Ivey". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Mike Dunleavy". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Katie Hobbs". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on December 12, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on January 27, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Gavin Newsom". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Jared Polis". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Ned Lamont". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Matt Meyer". National Governors Association. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
- ^ "Gov. Ron DeSantis". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Brian Kemp". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Josh Green". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Brad Little". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. JB Pritzker". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on January 18, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "2021–2022 Illinois Blue Book: Official Portraits & Biographies" (PDF). Illinois Secretary of State. p. 21. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 25, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Mike Braun". National Governors Association. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
- ^ "Gov. Kim Reynolds". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Laura Kelly". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Andy Beshear". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on January 18, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Josh Green". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Janet Mills". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Wes Moore". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on January 18, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Maura Healey". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Gretchen Whitmer". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ Smith, Allan (April 8, 2020). "'That woman from Michigan': Gov. Whitmer stands out in the pandemic. Just ask Trump". NBC News. Archived from the original on April 28, 2020. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ Erlandson, Henry (January 25, 2020). "Why is Minnesota's Democratic Party called the DFL?". Star Tribune. Minneapolis. Archived from the original on January 30, 2024. Retrieved May 3, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Tim Walz". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Tate Reeves". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Mike Kehoe". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on January 18, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Greg Gianforte". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Jim Pillen". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Joe Lombardo". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Kelly Ayotte". National Governors Association. Retrieved January 12, 2025.
- ^ "Gov. Phil Murphy". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ Oxford, Andrew (May 15, 2018). "Lujan Grisham offers vision for New Mexico". The Santa Fe New Mexican. Archived from the original on May 25, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ Confessore, Nicholas (December 16, 2010). "Cuomo's Inauguration Expected to Be Low Key". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Kathy Hochul". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on May 25, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Josh Stein". National Governors Association. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
- ^ "Gov. Kelly Armstrong". National Governors Association. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
- ^ "Gov. Mike DeWine". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Kevin Stitt". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Tina Kotek". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Josh Shapiro". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Dan McKee". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on January 27, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Henry McMaster". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Larry Rhoden". National Governors Association. Retrieved July 4, 2025.
- ^ "Gov. Bill Lee". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on February 22, 2019. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Greg Abbott". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on January 27, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Spencer Cox". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ Schott, Bryan; Semerad, Tony (January 18, 2024). "Here's why Utah Gov. Spencer Cox's family business has become an internet powerhouse". The Salt Lake Tribune. Archived from the original on May 25, 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Phil Scott". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Glenn Youngkin". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on December 13, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Bob Ferguson". National Governors Association. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
- ^ "Gov. Patrick Morrisey". National Governors Association. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
- ^ "Gov. Tony Evers". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Mark Gordon". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Gov. Pula Nikolao Pula". National Governors Association. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
- ^ "Senate makes moving tribute to Nikolao Pula for his service". Samoa News. March 31, 2023. Retrieved March 21, 2025.
- ^ "Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on March 7, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "About the Governor". Government of Guam. 11 May 2021. Archived from the original on 16 May 2024. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ "David M. Apatang". National Governors Association. Retrieved 2025-07-29.
- ^ "Gov. Jenniffer González-Colón". National Governors Association. Retrieved January 2, 2025.
- ^ "Gov. Albert Bryan". National Governors Association. Archived from the original on December 12, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ "Governor Albert Bryan Jr". Government of the United States Virgin Islands. Archived from the original on December 11, 2021. Retrieved May 24, 2024.
- ^ a b Governing the District of Columbia: Overview and Timeline (Report). Congressional Research Service. January 29, 2024. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ Davis, Henry E. (December 29, 1899). "The Political Development of the District of Columbia". Proceedings of the Washington Academy of Sciences. 1: 215. JSTOR 24526084.
- ^ Frommer, Frederic (June 21, 2022). "D.C. elected its own mayors in the 1800s — until Congress stepped in". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on March 24, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ Martin, Douglas (October 28, 2003). "Walter Washington, 88, Former Mayor of Washington, Dies". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 27, 2024.
- ^ a b c "People Research Service: Muriel Bowser" (PDF). National Journal. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 28, 2024. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
- ^ DeBonis, Mike; Davis, Aaron C. (January 2, 2015). "Muriel Bowser sworn in as D.C. mayor; pledges to make city healthier, safer". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 4, 2016. Retrieved March 27, 2024.
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